Leiden at a glance

Have the study abroad experience of your dreams and get a degree in Leiden, Netherlands, home to some of the world’s top universities. As you can choose from many accredited programmes available in English, Leiden counts numerous international students each year. Enjoy a bustling friendly city, the birthplace of Rembrandt and of several scientific discoveries including Einstein’s theory about the expanding of the universe.

Studying

Studying in Leiden

English and Dutch are the languages of instruction used in universities in Leiden, with a great focus on English-taught programmes for the graduate and postgraduate degree. However, proof of English proficiency is also an admission requirement for all Dutch-taught Bachelor programmes, as some of the study materials and lectures may be conducted in English. TOEFL, IELTS or CPE (Cambridge Advanced) are the accepted tests, and if you want to pursue your studies in Dutch, you need to pass the Dutch TUL intermediate exam or hold a Dutch NT2-II diploma.

You can choose from many Master degrees, including part-time Master and Master of Science programmes and PhD courses. Several MBA’s and free MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) are also available.

International students are highly encouraged to get practical experience through internships, as you will find many of these available in companies from Leiden.

Life

Leiden city life

Although not a busy town, Leiden has a vibrant and interesting urban culture and you will simply enjoy exploring this city in your spare time. Leiden has the second biggest city centre in The Netherlands after Amsterdam and several nice places you can visit or simply relax.

The main attractions in Leiden are:

The Hooglandse Kerk (The Church of St. Pancras)

The town hall (Stadhuis)

Molen de Valk Museum (a former corn-grinding windmill)

The Leiden American Pilgrim Museum

Old Observatory Leiden – the oldest university observatory in the world

Naturalis – one of the largest natural history museums in the world

If you simply want to relax and admire nature, check the Botanical garden or the Van der Werff Park. Shopping fans will enjoy the Haarlemmerstraat street and the city also has a lively café and nightlife, so you can choose from countless bars and pubs.

Leiden hosts several festivals and events; among the most popular ones are: 3 Oktober, the Leiden International Film Festival, Werfpop – a small scale music festival with performances from various music genres. Since Leiden is very close to the beach, you can visit seaside villages, like Katwijk aan Zee and Noordwijk aan Zee, which are only 20 minutes away by car.

You are also close to other major cities from The Netherlands, like Amsterdam and Den Haag (The Hague); you can get to these cities in less than thirty minutes by train or by car.

International atmosphere in Leiden

Universities are not the only places covering a multicultural environment. Leiden is home to several minorities, like: Turks, Moroccans, Chinese, Indians, Germans, Belgians, British and more.

Many international business people are interested in this area, particularly foreign investors from China, Germany that have set up a business here; several multinationals opened a branch here, especially those involved in the energy and pharmaceutical industry.

Weather Leiden

In Leiden, you will experience cool winters and warm summers. The winter season typically lasts from December to February, with temperatures dropping to an average of 6°C (43 °F) during the day. The regular low temperature drops to -2°C (28 °F) in January, the coldest month. During the cold season you will also get only two hours of sunshine per day. The average temperatures in the summer range around 21°C (70 °F).

Universities in Leiden

At Leiden University you can make a valuable
contribution to tackling the various national and international challenges
facing modern society. Our modest community size in the historical cities of
Leiden and The Hague creates a highly personal and committed atmosphere. The
knowledge and skills you develop here will benefit you for the rest of your
life, regardless of the career path you choose!

Nationality & Currency

If you tell us your nationality, we can show you the visa and tuition information that is most relevant to you. Also, tell us which currency you'd like to have the fees displayed in.

Cookies help us analyze your behavior in order to improve your experience; and third parties use them to create personalized advertising. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy and Cookie Policy.